RAF Flight Lieutenant from Albrighton spared jail over careless driving which seriously injured motorcyclist

The court heard how on Sunday, August 13, last year Campbell, had pulled out of Rectory Road onto the A41 in Albrighton.

Robert Edwards, prosecuting, told how the RAF officer, who is stationed at Cosford, was turning left, with a car also waiting at the junction to turn right.

The court was told Campbell "pulled out immediately in front" of Adrian Allison who was travelling on the A41 on his motorcycle at around 35 to 40mph.

The manoeuvre left Mr Allison with nowhere to go, and despite trying to take evasive action and applying emergency braking, he ploughed into Campbell's Ssangyong Rodius and was thrown from his bike.

Judge John Butterfield KC, sentencing, said: "In reality he didn't have sufficient time to do anything to avoid the collision."

The crash left Mr Allison with serious injuries, including a displaced fracture to a bone in his foot, which required surgery.

Mr Edwards read a victim impact statement from Mr Allison, which explained the lasting impact of the crash.

He told how his general mobility has been compromised, and is no longer able to run, or enjoy his previous hobbies of windsurfing or paddle-boarding.

Mr Allison is also at risk of developing arthritis in his foot, and was forced to change his role at work so he was confined to the office, leading to him resigning and taking early retirement.

Mr Edwards said the victim was "frustrated and disappointed at the circumstances I find myself in".

He added: "I accept the person responsible for this did not do this as a deliberate act, however the consequences of this had deep consequences for me and my family and I ask they reflect on that."

James Findon, mitigating, said Campbell was genuinely remorseful over his actions, and accepted they were "unacceptable" and "fell below the standard it should have".

Mr Findon said: "He told me if he could turn the clock back he absolutely would."

He added: "At that split second he thought the car to his right was moving and thought it was right to go."

Mr Findon told how following the crash Campbell had jumped out of the car to attend to Mr Allison, and then took over directing traffic, while his mother-in-law, who is a registered nurse, attended to the victim until the ambulance arrived.

He told the court how Campbell was a man of good character who had never been in trouble before, with 20 years of "exemplary service" in the RAF, including four operational tours of Afghanistan.

He urged Judge Butterfield not to hand down a custodial sentence – explaining that any jail sentence, suspended or immediate, would result in him being kicked out of the RAF from "a career he has absolutely loved".

He added that dismissal from the RAF would also see him and his family losing their home.

Judge Butterfield, citing the evidence of the witness driving the car which was stationary at the junction as Campbell pulled out, said: "You were clearly in a hurry and drove out without hesitation."

The judge said Campbell had accepted his driving was careless in an interview with police, but added: "This was a bad mistake, but made by a person who is fundamentally decent."

He said Campbell was of previous good character and, had acted responsibly at the scene, and was responsible consistently thereafter.

The judge spoke of references given on the defendant's behalf, saying: "You are described as having provided exemplary service."

He added: "It is apparent you are of exceptional character."

Campbell was given a community order for 12 months, with a requirement to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 costs.